Image-forming apparatus

Abstract

A image-forming apparatus includes a plurality of process cartridges each having a toner and an image bearing member, and has an intermediate transfer member, wherein the toner comprises a toner particle that contains a toner base particle and a prescribed organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner base particle, and the organosilicon polymer forms protruded portions on the surface of the toner base particle, for the protrusions having a protrusion height h from 40 nm to 300 nm, the numerical proportion P(d/w) of protruded portions having a ratio of the protrusion diameter d to the protrusion width w in a prescribed range is at least 70 number %, and one of the plurality of process cartridges has a carbon black-containing black toner, and the weight-average particle diameter of this black toner is smaller than that of the toner present in the other process cartridges.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to image-forming apparatuses, for example, copiers, printers, and facsimile machines, that use an electrophotographic system or an electrostatic recording system.

Description of the Related Art

Electrophotographic apparatuses, for which typical examples are laser printers and copiers, have in recent years seen dramatic advances in colorization as well as demand for qualitatively higher levels of image quality and extensions in service life. Improvements in transferability are an issue for increasing image quality. During transfer of the toner image formed on the image bearing member to the intermediate transfer member in the transfer step (primary transfer), toner can remain on the image bearing member (primary untransferred toner). Lowering the attachment force of the toner for the image bearing member is generally known to be effective for improving transferability.

Attaching an external additive to the toner particle surface is an example of a means for lowering the attachment force of the toner. In particular, in a method for improving the transfer efficiency, the physical attachment force between the toner and electrostatic image bearing member is reduced by a spacer effect brought about by the addition of a spherical external additive having a large particle diameter.

However, while this is effective as a method for improving the transfer efficiency, spherical large-diameter external additives undergo migration, detachment, and burial during long-term image output and are then unable to function as a spacer. As a consequence, it has been difficult to stably obtain the expected effect of improving the transfer efficiency.

A method is thus proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-36980 in which external additive migration and detachment are suppressed by bringing about a semi-embedding of a large-diameter external additive.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-257217, on the other hand, proposes a method in which detachment and burial are suppressed through the use of a large-diameter external additive having a hemispherical shape.

In order, in another vein, to achieve improvements in transferability by methods other than external addition, extensive investigations have also been carried out with respect to methods in which the toner particle surface is coated with an organosilicon compound.

As an example of the ideas in the art of coating the toner particle surface with a silicon compound, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-75304 discloses a method for producing a polymerized toner, the method being characterized by the addition of a silane coupling agent to the reaction system.

A method that uses the combination of a large-diameter external additive with a silane coupling agent is proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2017-138462. This method has made it possible to control the roughness of the toner particle surface while immobilizing the large-diameter external additive on the toner particle surface with the silane coupling agent. As a result, migration, detachment, and burial of the large-diameter external additive can be suppressed and a high transferability can be expressed on a long-term basis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, while the method in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-36980 is able to suppress migration and detachment, it has been found to also result in an acceleration of embedding or burial.

For the method in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-257217, it has been found that achieving a uniform immobilization of the large-diameter external additive on the toner particle surface is problematic, and that as a consequence maintenance of the transferability-improving effect to accommodate further extension of the service life is problematic.

For the method in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-75304, it has been found that a large transferability-improving effect cannot be obtained due to an inadequate amount of deposition of the silane compound on the toner particle surface.

With Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2017-138462, the large-diameter external additive used is a sphere, and as a consequence the load received by the toner in the normal direction is concentrated at a single point on the large-diameter external additive. It was found that, as a consequence, the large-diameter external additive can undergo burial and the durability is still insufficient for realizing additional increases in the service life.

It has been found, on the other hand, that for image patterns in which a black monochrome 100% solid image is intermingled with a two-color overlapped (200%) image (200% solid image), e.g., red, green, or blue, the problem occurs of a decline in the density of the black 100% solid image when transfer from the intermediate transfer member to the transfer material (secondary transfer) is performed. It has also been found that a high quality may not be obtained for black text and fine lines.

Thus the present invention provides an image-forming apparatus that can provide an improved primary transferability, secondary transferability, and text quality during extended use.

The present invention is an image-forming apparatus, including:

a plurality of process cartridges each having a toner and an image bearing member and each forming an image with a different color, and

an intermediate transfer member that, in order to carry out secondary transfer to a transfer material, transports a toner image provided by primary transfer from the image bearing member, wherein

the toner comprises a toner particle that contains a toner base particle and an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner base particle;

the organosilicon polymer has the structure given by formula (1) below;

the organosilicon polymer forms protruded portions on the surface of the toner base particle; wherein

in a flat image provided by observing the toner cross section with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, drawing a line along the circumference of the toner base particle surface, and converting based on this line along the circumference, and

assuming that the length of the line along the circumference for a segment where a protruded portion and the toner base particle form a continuous interface is taken as a protrusion width w, the maximum length of a protruded portion in the direction normal to the protrusion width w is taken as a protrusion diameter D, and the length, in the line segment that forms the protrusion diameter D, from the peak of a protruded portion to the line along the circumference is taken as a protrusion height H,

the numerical proportion P(D/w), in protruded portions having a protrusion height H from 40 nm to 300 nm, of protruded portions having a ratio D/w of the protrusion diameter D to the protrusion width w from 0.33 to 0.80, is at least 70 number %; and wherein

one of the plurality of process cartridges has a carbon black-containing black toner; and

the weight-average particle diameter of the black toner is smaller than the weight-average particle diameter of the toner present in the other process cartridges.
R—SiO_3/2  (1)

In the formula, R represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbons or a phenyl group.

The present invention can thus provide an image-forming apparatus that during extended use can provide an improved primary transferability, an improved secondary transferability, and an improved black image quality, e.g., for text, fine lines, and so forth.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an image-forming apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a toner cross section as observed with a STEM;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram that shows a methodology for measuring the protrusion shape on the toner;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram that shows a methodology for measuring the protrusion shape on the toner; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram that shows a methodology for measuring the protrusion shape on the toner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the expressions “from XX to YY” and “XX to YY” that show numerical value ranges refer in the present invention to numerical value ranges that include the lower limit and upper limit that are the end points.

Overall Structure and Operation of Image-Forming Apparatus

The image-forming apparatus has a plurality of process cartridges each having a toner and an image bearing member and each forming an image with a different color.

FIG. 1 is a diagram that shows a schematic cross section of an image-forming apparatus 100. The image-forming apparatus 100 is a tandem (inline configuration) laser printer that can form a full color image using an electrophotographic system and that employs an intermediate transfer system.

30 is an image-forming section, which forms a toner image in a plurality of colors on a movable intermediate transfer member 8, and which in the present case forms a superpositioned toner image of the four colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The image-forming section 30 is provided with four removable process cartridges P (respectively PY, PM, PC, and PK) as the development means for the image-forming apparatus 100. One of the plurality of process cartridges has a carbon black-containing black toner.

The image-forming section 30 has an intermediate transfer member unit 40 that uses an intermediate transfer member 8. The four process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK have the same structure. A difference is that they form an image in accordance with the color of the toner contained by the process cartridge P, i.e., a yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), or black (K) toner.

The process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK respectively have a toner container 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K. They also have an image bearing member (photosensitive member) 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K. They also have a charging roller 102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K and a developing roller 103Y, 103M, 103C, and 103K. They additionally have a drum cleaning blade 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K and a waste toner container 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K.

A laser unit 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107K is disposed below the process cartridge PY, PM, PC, and PK and carries out photoexposure of the image bearing member 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K based on an image signal. The photosensitive member 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K, functioning as the image bearing member, is driven to rotate at a prescribed peripheral velocity in the clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow. Each of these photosensitive members is charged to a prescribed negative-polarity potential by the application of a prescribed negative-polarity voltage to the charging roller 102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K, after which the respective electrostatic latent images are formed by scanning photoexposure by the laser unit 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107K.

The electrostatic latent image is reverse-developed by the application of a prescribed negative-polarity voltage to the developing roller 103Y, 103M, 103C, and 103K, and a toner image (negative polarity) in each color, i.e., Y, M, C, and K, is respectively formed on the photosensitive member 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K (development step).

The intermediate transfer member unit 40 is constituted of an intermediate transfer member 8, which is a flexible endless belt; a driver roller 9, around which this intermediate transfer member 8 is wrapped under tension; and a driven roller 10. A primary transfer roller (transfer member) 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K is disposed on the inside of the intermediate transfer member 8 facing the photosensitive member 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K, and each abuts the corresponding photosensitive member 101 with the intermediate transfer member 8 interposed therebetween. The region of abutment between the particular photosensitive member 101 and the intermediate transfer member 8 is the primary transfer nip region. A configuration is provided in which a transfer voltage is applied by a voltage application means (not shown) to each primary transfer roller 106.

Under rotatable drive by the driver roller 9, the intermediate transfer member 8 is rotated (moved), in a counterclockwise direction as shown by the arrow A, at a peripheral velocity A that corresponds to the rotating peripheral velocity of the photosensitive member 101. By the application of a positive-polarity voltage to the primary transfer roller 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K, primary transfer is carried out by the sequential superposition in a prescribed manner, on the intermediate transfer member 8 in the primary transfer nip region, of the negative-polarity images respectively formed on the photosensitive member 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K (primary transfer step).

That is, the toner images in the four colors, i.e., Y, M, C, and K, are formed in a stacked state according to the indicated sequence on the surface of the intermediate transfer member 8. Then, the intermediate transfer member 8 undergoes rotation (movement) to effect transport to the secondary transfer nip region, which is the region of abutment between the intermediate transfer member 8 and the secondary transfer roller (transfer member) 11.

A feed apparatus 12 has the following: a feed roller 14 that feeds a transfer material S from a transfer material cassette 13 where the sheet-form transfer material S is loaded and stored, and a transport roller pair 15 that transports the transfer material S that has been fed. The transfer material S transported from the feed apparatus 12 is introduced into the secondary transfer nip region by a resist roller pair 16 at a prescribed control timing and is transported while being pinched in the secondary transfer nip region. A positive-polarity voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 11. As a consequence, the aforementioned 4-color-superposed toner image on the intermediate transfer member 8 side underdoes secondary transfer sequentially as a single entity to the transfer material S that is transported while being pinched in the secondary transfer nip region (secondary transfer step).

The transfer material S on which the toner image has been formed by secondary transfer as described above, is introduced into a fixing apparatus 17 functioning as a fixing section. After the toner image (toner rendering) thereon has been heat-fixed by this fixing apparatus 17, the transfer material S is discharged to a discharge tray 50 by a discharge roller pair 20.

For each process cartridge PY, PM, PC, and PK, a drum cleaning blade 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K removes the primary untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member after primary transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive member 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K to the intermediate transfer member 8.

In addition, a cleaning blade 21, functioning as a cleaning member that counter-abuts the belt 8, removes the secondary untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer member 8 after secondary transfer of the toner image from the intermediate transfer member 8 to the transfer material S. The removed toner is recovered with a waste toner recovery container 22.

Description of Toner

The toner has a toner particle that contains a toner base particle and an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner base particle, and the organosilicon polymer has the structure given by the following formula (1).
R—SiO_3/2  (1)

(R is an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 (preferably from 1 to 3) carbons or a phenyl group.)

The organosilicon polymer forms protruded portions on the surface of the toner base particle, wherein

in a flat image provided by observing the toner cross section with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, drawing a line along the circumference of the toner base particle surface, and making a conversion based on this line along the circumference, and

using a protrusion width w for the length of the line along the circumference for a segment where a protruded portion and the toner base particle form a continuous interface, a protrusion diameter D for the maximum length of a protruded portion in the direction normal to the protrusion width w, and a protrusion height H for the length, in the line segment that forms the protrusion diameter D, from the peak of a protruded portion to the line along the circumference,

the numerical proportion P(D/w), in protruded portions having a protrusion height H from 40 nm to 300 nm, of protruded portions having a ratio D/w of the protrusion diameter D to the protrusion width w from 0.33 to 0.80, is at least 70 number %.

The conditions and requirements indicated above are described in detail in the following.

The toner has, on the toner particle surface, protruded portions containing an organosilicon polymer. These protruded portions are engaged in surface contact with the surface of the toner base particle. This surface contact can be expected to provide a substantial inhibitory effect on the migration, detachment, and burial of the protruded portions. STEM observations of the toner cross section were performed in order to show the degree of surface contact. FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 provide schematic diagrams of these protruded portions on a toner particle.

The 1 given in FIG. 2 is a STEM image. This image shows an approximately one-quarter section of a toner particle, wherein 2 is a toner base particle, 3 is the surface of the toner base particle, and 4 is a protruded portion. In FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, 5 is the protrusion width w, 6 is the protrusion diameter D, and 7 is the protrusion height H.

An image of the toner cross section is observed and a line is drawn along the circumference of the surface of the toner base particle. Conversion to a flat image is carried out based on this line along the circumference. In this flat image, the protrusion width w is taken to be the length of the line along the circumference of the segment where a protruded portion and the toner base particle form a continuous interface. The protrusion diameter D is taken to be the maximum length of a protruded portion in the direction normal to the protrusion width w, and the protrusion height H is taken to be the length, in the line segment that forms the protrusion diameter D, from the peak of the protruded portion to the line along the circumference.

The protrusion diameter D and the protrusion height H are the same in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, while the protrusion diameter D is larger than the protrusion height H in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the immobilized state for a particle resembling a bowl-shaped particle, in which the central part of a hemispherical particle is recessed, as obtained by crushing and dividing a hollow particle. In FIG. 5, the protrusion width w is the sum of the lengths of the organosilicon compound in contact with the surface of the toner base particle. The protrusion width w in FIG. 5 is thus the sum of W1 and W2.

It was discovered that the protruded portions are resistant to migration, detachment, and burial when, based on the definitions given above, the protrusion shape for the protruded portions of organosilicon compound has the ratio D/w of the protrusion diameter D to the protrusion width w from 0.33 to 0.80. That is, it was discovered that an excellent transferability capable of withstanding extensions of the service life is exhibited when the numerical proportion P(D/w), for protruded portions having a protrusion height H from 40 nm to 300 nm, of protruded portions having a ratio D/w from 0.33 to 0.80 is a least 70 number %.

It is thought that a spacer effect is produced between the toner base particle surface and the photosensitive member surface due to protruded portions of at least 40 nm, resulting in a reduction in the attachment force with the photosensitive member surface and an improvement in the transferability. On the other hand, it is thought that a significant inhibitory effect on migration, detachment, and burial during a durability evaluation is exhibited due to protruded portions of not more than 300 nm.

It was found that, when the numerical proportion P(D/w) is at least 70 number % for the proportion for protruded portions from 40 nm to 300 nm, a transferability-maintenance effect is exhibited during extended use. P(D/w) is preferably at least 75 number % and is more preferably at least 80 number %. While there is no particular limitation on the upper limit, it is preferably not more than 99 number % and is more preferably not more than 98 number %.

In addition, in observation of the toner cross section using a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, and using a circumference length L for the width of the flat image (length of the line along the circumference of the toner base particle surface) and using Σw for the sum of the protrusion widths w of the protruded portions having a protrusion height H from 40 nm to 300 nm of the protruded portions of the organosilicon polymer present in the flat image, Σw/L is preferably from 0.30 to 0.90.

A better transferability is provided when Σw/L is at least 0.30, and a superior inhibitory effect on the decline in transferability induced by extended use is provided when Σw/L is not more than 0.90. Σw/L is more preferably from 0.45 to 0.80.

The fixing ratio of the organosilicon polymer for the toner is preferably at least 80 mass %. An fixing ratio of at least 80 mass % provides an excellent transferability during extended use. The fixing ratio is more preferably at least 90 mass % and is even more preferably at least 95 mass %. The upper limit, on the other hand, is not particularly limited, but is preferably not more than 99 mass % and is more preferably not more than 98 mass %. This fixing ratio can be controlled through, for example, the following during the addition and polymerization of the organosilicon compound: the addition rate of the organosilicon compound, reaction temperature, reaction time, pH during the reaction, and timing of pH adjustment.

In addition, from the standpoint of providing an even better transferability, H80 is preferably at least 65 nm where, when a cumulative distribution of the protrusion height H is constructed for the protruded portions having a protrusion height H from 40 nm to 300 nm, H80 is the protrusion height corresponding to 80 number % for cumulation of the protrusion height H from the small side. At least 75 nm is more preferred. The upper limit is not particularly limited, but is preferably not more than 120 nm and is more preferably not more than 100 nm.

The number-average diameter for the protrusion diameter R is preferably from 20 nm to 80 nm where the protrusion diameter R is the maximum diameter of the organosilicon polymer protruded portion in observation of the toner with a scanning electron microscope SEM. From 35 nm to 60 nm is more preferred. This range is more preferred from the standpoint of the transferability.

The toner contains an organosilicon polymer having the structure given by the following formula (1).
R—SiO_3/2  (1)

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbons or a phenyl group.)

In the organosilicon polymer having the structure represented by formula (1), one of the four valences of the Si atom is bonded to R and the remaining three are bonded to an O atom. The O atom resides in a state in which its two valences are each bonded to Si, thus providing a siloxane bond (Si—O—Si). Considering the Si atom and O atom at the level of the organosilicon polymer, they are represented by —SiO_3/2 since three O atoms are present for two Si atoms. The —SiO_3/2 structure of this organosilicon polymer is regarded as having properties similar to those of silica (SiO₂), which is constituted of a large number of siloxane bonds.

The R in the substructure given by formula (1) is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbons and is more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbons.

Preferred examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbons are the methyl group, ethyl group, and propyl group. R is more preferably the methyl group.

The organosilicon polymer preferably is a condensation polymer of an organosilicon compound having the structure given by the following formula (Z).

##STR00001##

(In formula (Z), R₁ represents a hydrocarbon group (preferably an alkyl group) having 1 to 6 carbons, and R₂, R₃, and R₄ each independently represent a halogen atom, hydroxy group, acetoxy group, or alkoxy group.)

R₁ is preferably an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbons and is more preferably the methyl group.

R₂, R₃, and R₄ each independently represent a halogen atom, hydroxy group, acetoxy group, or alkoxy group (also referred to herebelow as a reactive group). These reactive groups undergo hydrolysis, addition polymerization, and condensation polymerization, thereby forming a crosslinked structure.

Hydrolysis proceeds gently at room temperature, and, from the standpoint of the deposition behavior onto the surface of the toner base particle, an alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbons is preferred and the methoxy group and ethoxy group are more preferred.

The hydrolysis, addition polymerization, and condensation polymerization of R₂, R₃, and R₄ can be controlled using the reaction temperature, reaction time, reaction solvent, and pH. A single organosilicon compound having three reactive groups (R₂, R₃, and R₄) in the individual molecule, excluding the R₁ in the formula (Z) given above (also referred to as a trifunctional silane in the following), or a combination of a plurality of such organosilicon compounds, may be used in order to obtain the organosilicon polymer used in the present invention.

The following are examples of compounds with formula (Z):

trifunctional methylsilanes such as methyltrimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, methyldiethoxymethoxysilane, methylethoxydimethoxysilane, methyltrichlorosilane, methylmethoxydichlorosilane, methyl ethoxydichlorosilane, methyldimethoxychlorosilane, methylmethoxyethoxychlorosilane, methyldiethoxychlorosilane, methyltriacetoxysilane, methyldiacetoxymethoxysilane, methyldiacetoxyethoxysilane, methyl acetoxydimethoxysilane, methylacetoxymethoxyethoxysilane, methylacetoxydiethoxysilane, methyltrihydroxysilane, methylmethoxydihydroxysilane, methylethoxydihydroxysilane, methyldimethoxyhydroxysilane, methylethoxymethoxyhydroxysilane, and methyldiethoxyhydroxysilane;

trifunctional silanes such as ethyltrimethoxysilane, ethyltriethoxysilane, ethyltrichlorosilane, ethyltriacetoxysilane, ethyltrihydroxysilane, propyltrimethoxysilane, propyltriethoxysilane, propyltrichlorosilane, propyltriacetoxysilane, propyltrihydroxysilane, butyltrimethoxysilane, butyltriethoxysilane, butyltrichlorosilane, butyltriacetoxysilane, butyltrihydroxysilane, hexyltrimethoxysilane, hexyltriethoxysilane, hexyltrichlorosilane, hexyltriacetoxysilane, and hexyltrihydroxysilane; and

trifunctional phenylsilanes such as phenyltrimethoxysilane, phenyltriethoxysilane, phenyltrichlorosilane, phenyltriacetoxysilane, and phenyltrihydroxysilane.

To the extent that the effects of the present invention are not impaired, an organosilicon polymer may be used that is obtained using the following in combination with the organosilicon compound having the structure given by the formula (Z): an organosilicon compound having four reactive groups in each molecule (tetrafunctional silane), an organosilicon compound having two reactive groups in each molecule (difunctional silane), or an organosilicon compound having one reactive group (monofunctional silane). Examples thereof are as follows:

dimethyldiethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane, hexamethyldisilazane, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and 3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and trifunctional vinylsilanes such as vinyltriisocyanatosilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyldiethoxymethoxysilane, vinylethoxydimethoxysilane, vinylethoxydihydroxysilane, vinyldimethoxyhydroxysilane, vinylethoxymethoxyhydroxysilane, and vinyldiethoxyhydroxysilane.

The content of the organosilicon polymer in the toner particle is preferably from 1.0 mass % to 10.0 mass %.

The following is an example of a preferred method for forming the protrusion shape as prescribed above on the toner particle surface: dispersing a toner base particle in an aqueous medium to obtain a toner base particle dispersion, and then adding the organosilicon compound and bringing about formation of the protrusion shape to yield a toner particle dispersion.

The solids fraction concentration in the toner base particle dispersion is preferably adjusted to from 25 mass % to 50 mass %. The temperature of the toner base particle dispersion is preferably adjusted in advance to at least 35° C. In addition, the pH of the toner base particle dispersion is preferably adjusted to a pH that impedes the progress of condensation by the organosilicon compound. Because the pH that impedes the progress of condensation by the organosilicon compound varies with the particular substance, within ±0.5 centered on the pH at which the reaction is most impeded is preferred.

The use is preferred of an organosilicon compound that has been subjected to a hydrolysis treatment. For example, hydrolysis may be carried out in advance in a separate vessel as a pretreatment for the organosilicon compound. The charge concentration for hydrolysis, using 100 mass parts for the amount of the organosilicon compound, is preferably from 40 mass parts to 500 mass parts and more preferably from 100 mass parts to 400 mass parts of water from which the ionic fraction has been removed, for example, deionized water or RO water. The conditions during hydrolysis are preferably a pH of 2 to 7, a temperature of 15° C. to 80° C., and a time of 30 to 600 minutes.

The resulting hydrolysis solution is mixed with the toner base particle dispersion and adjustment is carried out to a pH suitable for condensation (preferably 6 to 12 or 1 to 3 and more preferably 8 to 12). Formation of the protrusion shape is facilitated by adjusting the amount of the hydrolysis solution to from 5.0 mass parts to 30.0 mass parts of the organosilicon compound per 100 mass parts of the toner base particle. The condensation temperature and time during protrusion shape formation are preferably maintenance for 60 minutes to 72 hours at 35° C. to 99° C.

Adjustment of the pH is preferably carried out in two stages considering control of the protrusion shape on the toner particle surface. The protrusion shape on the toner particle surface can be controlled by carrying out condensation of the organosilicon compound with suitable adjustment of the holding time prior to adjustment of the pH and the holding time prior to the second stage adjustment of the pH. For example, preferably holding is carried out for 0.5 hours to 1.5 hours at a pH of 4.0 to 6.0 followed by holding for 3.0 hours to 5.0 hours at a pH of 8.0 to 11.0. The protrusion shape can also be controlled by adjusting the condensation temperature for the organosilicon compound in the range from 35° C. to 80° C.

For example, the protrusion width w can be controlled using, e.g., the amount of addition of the organosilicon compound, the reaction temperature, the reaction pH in the first stage, and the reaction time. For example, the protrusion width tends to increase as the reaction time in the first stage is extended.

The protrusion diameter D and protrusion height H can be controlled through, e.g., the amount of addition of the organosilicon polymer, the reaction temperature, and the second stage pH. For example, the protrusion diameter D and protrusion height H tend to increase as the reaction pH in the second stage is increased.

Characteristics of Black Toner and Secondary Transfer

The black toner is described in the following.

The black toner contains carbon black as a colorant. A characteristic feature of a carbon black-containing toner is the tendency, once the toner has been charged, for its amount of charge per unit mass (i.e., Q/M) to be smaller than that of the other colors. In addition, when the Q/M value of the toner is reduced upon discharge during the secondary transfer step, a carbon black-containing toner tends to undergo a reduction in the Q/M value more readily than the other toners in the other colors.

The voltage value required at the time of secondary transfer from the intermediate transfer member 8 to the transfer material S, on the other hand, is determined by the Q/S value (the amount of charge per unit area), which is the product of the Q/M value and the M/S value (toner mass per unit area): when the Q/S value is large, the voltage value applied to the secondary transfer roller 11 is also large.

For example, in a 23° C./50% RH environment, the secondary transfer voltage required for the secondary transfer of a black solid 100% image (Q/M=−50 μc/g, M/S=0.40 mg/cm², Q/S=20 nc/cm²) is approximately 1,500 V, while the secondary transfer voltage required for the secondary transfer of a blue solid 200% image (Q/M=−50 μc/g, M/S=0.80 mg/cm², Q/S=40 nc/cm²) is approximately 2,000 V.

With an image in which a black solid 100% image is intermingled with a blue solid 200% image, the secondary transfer voltage that is applied must be the 2,000 V that corresponds to the blue solid 200% image, and as a consequence the secondary transfer voltage is set higher than the optimal value for the black solid 100% image. As a result, due to the reduction in the Q/M value of the black toner brought about by discharge during the secondary transfer step, the secondary untransferred toner assumes substantial levels and the density value of the black on the transfer material S assumes a declining trend.

In addition, as noted above, in comparison with the other colors, a carbon black-containing toner tends to have a lower Q/M value and the decline in its Q/M value during discharge in the secondary transfer step is more substantial, and as a consequence it has been quite difficult for a black 100% solid image to co-exist with a 200% solid image of, e.g., red, green, or blue.

This co-existence has been devised in the present invention by having the weight-average particle diameter of the black toner be smaller than the weight-average particle diameter of the toner present in the other process cartridges (for the non-black colors). For example, when the weight-average particle diameter of the toner present in the other process cartridges is 7.0 m, the weight-average particle diameter of the black toner is made 6.5 μm. By doing this, because Q declines with the square of the radius when the surface area is reduced while M declines with the cube of the radius when the volume is reduced, the Q/M value grows in total. As a result, the difference between the Q/S for the non-black 200% solid image and the black 100% solid image is small and the non-black 200% solid image can then co-exist with the black 100% solid image.

The difference between the weight-average particle diameter of the black toner and the weight-average particle diameter of the toners present in the other process cartridges is preferably not more than 1.5 μm and is more preferably not more than 0.5 μm. A particle diameter difference between the black toner and the toners in the other colors of not more than 1.5 μm facilitates co-existence between the primary transferability of the 100% solid black toner and the primary transferability of the 100% solid monochrome for the toners in the other colors.

The weight-average particle diameter of the black toner is preferably 4.5 μm to 7.5 μm and is more preferably 5.0 μm to 7.0 μm.

The weight-average particle diameter of the toners in the other colors (for example, yellow, magenta, cyan), on the other hand, is preferably 5.0 μm to 8.0 μm and is more preferably 5.5 μm to 7.5 μm.

In addition, by having the particle diameter of the black toner be less than the particle diameter of the toners for the other colors, the toner-to-toner electrostatic repulsion force in the primary transfer step and the secondary transfer step then becomes smaller, and as a consequence scattering by the toner at the periphery of characters and fine lines (toner scattering) can be suppressed and the text quality can be improved.

On the other hand, the particle diameter of the black toner is preferably at least 4.5 μm from the standpoint of the primary transferability and secondary transferability.

Position of Black Toner Process Cartridge

With regard to the position of the black toner process cartridge (PK), a configuration is preferred in which it resides at the most downstream position of all the colors. That is, the image-forming apparatus preferably has a plurality of process cartridges, each of which forms an image in a different color, with the black toner process cartridge residing in the most downstream position of the plurality of process cartridges.

Due to the general importance of the quality of black text, for example, when the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are employed, the black toner process cartridge (PK) tends to be placed at the fourth station on the most downstream side. However, for the color toners disposed at the first to third stations, there is a tendency for the Q/M value to increase with the primary transfer step at the downstream station and for the difference from the Q/M value of the black toner to then increase. As a consequence, the configuration in which the black toner process cartridge (PK) is disposed in the downstream-most position is even more preferred because this enables a maximum expression of the effects of the present invention.

Toner Production Methods

Known methods may be adopted without particular limitation for the toner production method.

Preferably the toner base particle is produced in an aqueous medium and the organosilicon polymer-containing protruded portions are formed on the surface of the toner base particle.

The suspension polymerization method, dissolution suspension method, and emulsion aggregation method are preferred methods for producing the toner base particle, with suspension polymerization being more preferred thereamong. The suspension polymerization method facilitates a uniform deposition of the organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner base particle, supports an excellent adherence by the organosilicon polymer, and provides an excellent environmental stability, an excellent suppression of charge inversion components, and an excellent persistence of the preceding during extended use. The suspension polymerization method is further described in the following.

The toner base particle is obtained in the suspension polymerization method by granulating, in an aqueous medium, a polymerizable monomer composition that contains polymerizable monomer that can produce a binder resin, and colorant such as carbon black, plus optional additives, and then polymerizing the polymerizable monomer present in the polymerizable monomer composition.

The polymerizable monomer composition may also optionally contain a release agent as well as other resins. After completion of the polymerization step, the produced particles can be washed and recovered by filtration using known methods. The temperature may be raised in the latter half of the polymerization step. In order to remove unreacted polymerizable monomer and secondary products, a portion of the dispersion medium may also be distilled from the reaction system in the latter half of the polymerization step or after the completion of the polymerization step.

Preferably the organosilicon polymer protruded portions are formed using the method described above and the thusly obtained toner base particle.

A release agent may be used in the toner. This release agent can be exemplified by the following:

petroleum-based waxes such as paraffin waxes, microcrystalline waxes, and petrolatum, and derivatives thereof; montan wax and derivatives thereof; hydrocarbon waxes produced by the Fischer-Tropsch method, and derivatives thereof; polyolefin waxes such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and derivatives thereof; natural waxes such as carnauba wax and candelilla wax, and derivatives thereof; higher aliphatic alcohols; fatty acids such as stearic acid and palmitic acid, and their acid amides, esters, and ketones; hydrogenated castor oil and derivatives thereof; as well as plant waxes, animal waxes, and silicone resins.

The derivatives include oxides as well as block copolymers and graft modifications with vinyl monomers. A single release agent may be used, or a mixture of a plurality of release agents may be used.

The release agent content, considered per 100 mass parts of the binder resin or polymerizable monomer that produces the binder resin, is preferably from 2.0 mass parts to 30.0 mass parts.

For example, the following resins may be used as the other resins:

homopolymers of styrene or a derivative thereof, e.g., polystyrene and polyvinyltoluene; styrene copolymers such as styrene-propylene copolymer, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, styrene-vinylnaphthalene copolymer, styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, styrene-vinyl methyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl ethyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, and styrene-maleate ester copolymer; as well as polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl butyral, silicone resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, epoxy resins, polyacrylic resins, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resins, phenolic resins, aliphatic hydrocarbon resins, alicyclic hydrocarbon resins, and aromatic petroleum resins. A single one of these may be used, or a mixture of a plurality may be used.

The following vinyl polymerizable monomers are advantageous examples of the polymerizable monomer:

styrene; styrene derivatives such as α-methylstyrene, ρ-methylstyrene, o-methylstyrene, m-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene, 2,4-dimethyl styrene, p-n-butylstyrene, p-tert-butyl styrene, p-n-hexyl styrene, p-n-octylstyrene, p-n-nonylstyrene, p-n-decylstyrene, p-n-dodecylstyrene, p-methoxystyrene, and p-phenylstyrene; acrylic polymerizable monomers such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, n-amyl acrylate, n-hexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, n-nonyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, dimethyl phosphate ethyl acrylate, diethyl phosphate ethyl acrylate, dibutyl phosphate ethyl acrylate, and 2-benzoyloxyethyl acrylate; methacrylic polymerizable monomers such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, n-amyl methacrylate, n-hexyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, n-octyl methacrylate, n-nonyl methacrylate, diethyl phosphate ethyl methacrylate, and dibutyl phosphate ethyl methacrylate; methylene aliphatic monocarboxylic acid esters; vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl butyrate, and vinyl formate; vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, and vinyl isobutyl ether; as well as vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl hexyl ketone, and vinyl isopropyl ketone.

Among these vinyl monomers, styrene, styrene derivatives, acrylic polymerizable monomers, and methacrylic polymerizable monomers are preferred.

A polymerization initiator may be added to the polymerization of the polymerizable monomer. The following are examples of the polymerization initiator:

azo and diazo polymerization initiators such as 2,2′-azobis(2,4-divaleronitrile), 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile, 1,1′-azobis(cyclohexane-1-carbonitrile), 2,2′-azobis-4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile, and azobisisobutyronitrile; and peroxide polymerization initiators such as benzoyl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, diisopropyl peroxycarbonate, cumene hydroperoxide, 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide, and lauroyl peroxide.

These polymerization initiators are preferably added at 0.5 mass parts to 30.0 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the polymerizable monomer, and a single polymerization initiator may be used or a plurality may be used in combination.

A chain transfer agent may be added to polymerization of the polymerizable monomer in order to control the molecular weight of the binder resin that constitutes the toner base particle. The preferred amount of addition is 0.001 mass parts to 15.000 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the polymerizable monomer.

A crosslinking agent may be added to polymerization of the polymerizable monomer in order to control the molecular weight of the binder resin that constitutes the toner base particle. The following are examples:

divinylbenzene, bis(4-acryloxypolyethoxyphenyl)propane, ethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol diacrylate, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate, 1,5-pentanediol diacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, the diacrylates of polyethylene glycol #200, #400, and #600, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol diacrylate, polyester-type diacrylates (MANDA, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), and crosslinking agents provided by changing the acrylate in the preceding to methacrylate.

Polyfunctional crosslinking monomers can be exemplified by the following: pentaerythritol triacrylate, trimethylolethane triacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, tetramethylolmethane tetraacrylate, oligoester acrylates and their methacrylates, 2,2-bis(4-methacryloxy⋅polyethoxyphenyl)propane, diacryl phthalate, triallyl cyanurate, triallyl isocyanurate, triallyl trimellitate, and diallyl chlorendate.

The preferred amount of addition is 0.001 mass parts to 15.000 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the polymerizable monomer.

When the medium used in the aforementioned suspension polymerization is an aqueous medium, the following may be used as a dispersion stabilizer for the particles of the polymerizable monomer composition:

tricalcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, zinc phosphate, aluminum phosphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium metasilicate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, bentonite, silica, and alumina.

The following are examples of organic dispersing agents: polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, methyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, the sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose, and starch.

A commercially available nonionic, anionic, or cationic surfactant may also be used. These surfactants are exemplified by the following: sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, sodium pentadecyl sulfate, sodium octyl sulfate, sodium oleate, sodium laurate, and potassium stearate.

A colorant may be used in the toner; there are no particular limitations on the colorant and known colorants may be used.

The colorant content, per 100 mass parts of the binder resin or polymerizable monomer that can produce the binder resin, is preferably from 3.0 mass parts to 15.0 mass parts.

A charge control agent may be used during toner production, and a known charge control agent can be used. The amount of addition of the charge control agent is preferably 0.01 mass parts to 10.00 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the binder resin or polymerizable monomer.

The toner particle as such may be used as a toner, or any of various organic or inorganic fine powders may be externally added to the toner particle. Considering the durability when added to the toner particle, a particle diameter that is equal to or less than one-tenth the weight-average particle diameter of the toner particle is preferred for this organic or inorganic fine powder.

The following, for example, are used for the organic or inorganic fine powder.

(1) Flowability-imparting agents: silica, alumina, titanium oxide, and fluorinated carbon.

(2) Abrasives: metal oxides (for example, strontium titanate, cerium oxide, alumina, magnesium oxide, chromium oxide), nitrides (for example, silicon nitride), carbides (for example, silicon carbide), metal salts (for example, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate).

(3) Lubricants: fluororesin powders (for example, vinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene), metal salts of fatty acids (for example, zinc stearate, calcium stearate).

(4) Charge control particles: metal oxides (for example, tin oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, silica, alumina).

The organic or inorganic fine powder may be subjected to a surface treatment in order to improve toner flowability and provide a more uniform toner charging. The treatment agent for performing a hydrophobic treatment on the organic or inorganic fine powder can be exemplified by unmodified silicone varnishes, various modified silicone varnishes, unmodified silicone oils, various modified silicone oils, silane compounds, silane coupling agents, organosilicon compounds other than the preceding, and organotitanium compounds. A single one of these treatment agents may be used or a plurality may be used in combination.

The measurement methods involved with the present invention are described in the following.

Method for Observing Toner Cross Section with Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM)

The toner cross section for observation with a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) is prepared proceeding as follows.

The procedure for preparing the toner cross section is described in the following.

The toner is first broadcast into a single layer on a cover glass (square cover glass, Square No. 1, Matsunami Glass Ind., Ltd.), and an Os film (5 nm) and a naphthalene film (20 nm) are executed thereon as protective films using an Osmium Plasma Coater (OPC80T, Filgen, Inc.).

D800 photocurable resin (JEOL Ltd.) is then filled into a PTFE tube (inner diameter 1.5 mmØ×outer diameter 3 mmØ×3 mm), and the aforementioned cover glass is gently placed on the tube with the toner facing so as to come into contact with the D800 photocurable resin. This assembly is exposed to light and the resin is cured, followed by removal of the cover glass and tube to produce a resin cylinder in which the toner is embedded in the outermost surface side.

Using an ultrasound ultramicrotome (UC7, Leica), cross sections of the center of the toner are generated by slicing, from the surfacemost side of the resin cylinder at a slicing rate of 0.6 mm/s, at just the length of the radius of the toner (for example, 4.0 μm when the weight-average particle diameter (D4) is 8.0 μm).

Thin-section samples of the toner cross section are then prepared by slicing at a film thickness of 100 nm. Cross sections of the center of the toner can be obtained by slicing in accordance with this procedure.

An image is acquired using a STEM probe size of 1 nm and an image size of 1024×1024 pixels. The image is acquired by adjusting the Contrast to 1425 and the Brightness to 3750 on the Detector Control panel for the bright-field image and adjusting the Contrast to 0.0, the Brightness to 0.5, and the Gamma to 1.00 on the Image Control panel. Image magnification is 100,000×, and image acquisition is performed so as to fit approximately from one-fourth to one-half of the circumference of the cross section for one toner particle, as shown in FIG. 2.

The organosilicon polymer-containing protruded portions are measured by subjecting the obtained image to image processing using image processing software (Image J (available from https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/)). Image processing is carried out on 30 STEM images.

First, a line is drawn along the circumference of the toner base particle using the line drawing tool (select Segmented line on the Straight tab). In regions where the organosilicon polymer protruded portion is embedded in the toner base particle, the lines are smoothly connected as if this embedding did not occur.

Conversion to a flat image is performed based on this line (select Selection on the Edit tab and convert the line width to 500 pixels using properties, then select Selection on the Edit tab and perform Straightener). Using the methodology described above, the protrusion width w, protrusion diameter D, and protrusion height H are measured at each individual location of an organosilicon polymer-containing protruded portion in the flat image. P(D/w) is calculated from the measurement results for the 30 STEM images. The cumulative distribution of the protrusion height H is also generated and H80 is calculated.

In addition, Σ w is used for the sum of the protrusion widths w of the protruded portions having a protrusion height H from 40 nm to 300 nm, that are present in the flat image used for image analysis, and the circumference length L is used for the width of the flat image used for image processing. This width of the flat image corresponds to the length of the surface of the toner base particle in the STEM image. Σw/L is calculated for a single image, and the arithmetic mean value over the 30 STEM images is used.

The details of measurement of the protruded portions are as indicated in the preceding description and FIG. 3 to FIG. 5.

The measurement is performed after overlaying the scale on the image with Straight Line in the Straight tab in ImageJ and setting the length of the scale on the image using Set Scale in the Analyze tab. The line segments corresponding to the protrusion width w and the protrusion height H are drawn with Straight Line in the Straight tab, and the measurement can be performed using Measure in the Analyze tab.

Method for Calculating Average Particle Diameter of Protruded Portions Using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

The SEM observation procedure is as follows. This is carried out using the image taken with an S-4800 Hitachi ultrahigh resolution field emission scanning electron microscope (Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation). The image acquisition conditions using the S-4800 are as follows.

(1) Specimen Preparation

A conductive paste (Product No. 16053, PELCO Colloidal Graphite, Isopropanol Base, TED PELLA, Inc.) is thinly coated on the specimen stand (15 mm×6 mm aluminum sample stand) and the toner is sprayed onto this. After the excess toner have been removed from the specimen stand using an air blower, platinum vapor deposition is carried out for 15 seconds at 15 mA. The specimen stand is set in the specimen holder and the specimen stand height is adjusted to 30 mm using the specimen height gauge.

(2) Setting Conditions for Observation with S-4800

Liquid nitrogen is introduced to the brim of the anti-contamination trap attached to the S-4800 housing and standing for 30 minutes is carried out. The “PC-SEM” of the S-4800 is started and flashing is performed (the FE tip, which is the electron source, is cleaned). The acceleration voltage display area in the control panel on the screen is clicked and the [flashing] button is pressed to open the flashing execution dialog. A flashing intensity of 2 is confirmed and execution is carried out. The emission current due to flashing is confirmed to be 20 to 40 μA. The specimen holder is inserted in the specimen chamber of the S-4800 housing. [home] is pressed on the control panel to transfer the specimen holder to the observation position.

The acceleration voltage display area is clicked to open the HV setting dialog and the acceleration voltage is set to [2.0 kV] and the emission current is set to [10 μA]. In the [base] tab of the operation panel, signal selection is set to [SE]; [lower (L)] is selected for the SE detector; and the instrument is placed in backscattered electron image observation mode. Similarly, in the [base] tab of the operation panel, the probe current of the electron optical system condition block is set to [Normal]; the focus mode is set to [UHR]; and WD is set to [8.0 mm]. The [ON] button in the acceleration voltage display area of the control panel is pressed to apply the acceleration voltage.

(3) Focus Adjustment

The magnification is set to 5,000× (5 k) by dragging within the magnification display area of the control panel. Turning the [COARSE] focus knob on the operation panel, adjustment of the aperture alignment is carried out where some degree of focus has been obtained. [Align] in the control panel is clicked and the alignment dialog is displayed and [beam] is selected. The displayed beam is migrated to the center of the concentric circles by turning the STIGMA/ALIGNMENT knobs (X, Y) on the operation panel.

[aperture] is then selected and the STIGMA/ALIGNMENT knobs (X, Y) are turned one at a time and adjustment is performed so as to stop the motion of the image or minimize the motion. The aperture dialog is closed and focus is performed with the autofocus. Focusing is performed by repeating this operation an additional two times. With the center of the major diameter of the observed particle adjusted to the center of the measurement screen, the magnification is set to 10,000× (10 k) by dragging within the magnification display area of the control panel. Turning the [COARSE] focus knob on the operation panel, adjustment of the aperture alignment is carried out where some degree of focus has been obtained. [Align] in the control panel is clicked and the alignment dialog is displayed and [beam] is selected. The displayed beam is migrated to the center of the concentric circles by turning the STIGMA/ALIGNMENT knobs (X, Y) on the operation panel.

[aperture] is then selected and the STIGMA/ALIGNMENT knobs (X, Y) are turned one at a time and adjustment is performed so as to stop the motion of the image or minimize the motion. The aperture dialog is closed and focus is performed with the autofocus. The magnification is then set to 50,000× (50 k); focus adjustment is performed as above using the focus knob and the STIGMA/ALIGNMENT knobs; and re-focusing is performed using autofocus. This operation is repeated to achieve focus.

(4) Image Storage

Brightness adjustment is performed using the ABC mode and a photograph with a size of 640×480 pixels is taken and saved.

Using the obtained SEM image, the number-average diameter (D1) of the at least 20-nm protruded portions present at 500 locations on the toner particle surface is calculated using the image processing software (ImageJ). The measurement method is as follows.

Measurement of Number-Average Diameter of Protruded Portions of Organosilicon Polymer

The protruded portions and toner base particle in the image are binarized and color-discriminated by particle analysis. From among the measurement commands, the largest diameter of the selected shape is then selected and the protrusion diameter R (maximum diameter) of the protruded portion at one location is measured. This operation is carried out a plurality of times, and the number-average diameter is calculated for the protrusion diameter R by determining the arithmetic average value for 500 locations.

Method for Measuring Fixing Ratio of Organosilicon Polymer

A sucrose concentrate is prepared by the addition of 160 g of sucrose (Kishida Chemical Co., Ltd.) to 100 mL of deionized water and dissolving while heating on a water bath. 31 g of this sucrose concentrate and 6 mL of Contaminon N (a 10 mass % aqueous solution of a neutral pH 7 detergent for cleaning precision measurement instrumentation, comprising a nonionic surfactant, anionic surfactant, and organic builder, Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) are introduced into a centrifugal separation tube (50 mL volume) to prepare a dispersion. 1.0 g of the toner is added to this dispersion, and clumps of the toner are broken up using, for example, a spatula.

The centrifugal separation tube is shaken with a shaker for 20 minutes at 350 strokes per minute (spm). After shaking, the solution is transferred over to a glass tube (50 mL volume) for swing rotor service, and separation is performed with a centrifugal separator (H-9R, Kokusan Co., Ltd.) using conditions of 3,500 rpm and 30 minutes. Satisfactory separation of the toner from the aqueous solution is checked visually, and the toner separated into the uppermost layer is recovered with, for example, a spatula. The aqueous solution containing the recovered toner is filtered on a vacuum filter and then dried for at least 1 hour in a dryer. The dried product is crushed with a spatula and the amount of silicon is measured by x-ray fluorescence. The fixing ratio (%) is calculated from the ratio for the amount of the measured element between the post-water-wash toner and the starting toner.

Measurement of the x-ray fluorescence of the particular element is based on JIS K 0119-1969 and is specifically as follows.

An “Axios” wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analyzer (PANalytical B.V.) is used as the measurement instrumentation, and the “SuperQ ver. 4.0F” (PANalytical B.V.) software provided with the instrument is used in order to set the measurement conditions and analyze the measurement data. Rh is used for the x-ray tube anode; a vacuum is used for the measurement atmosphere; the measurement diameter (collimator mask diameter) is 10 mm; and the measurement time is 10 seconds. Detection is carried out with a proportional counter (PC) in the case of measurement of the light elements, and with a scintillation counter (SC) in the case of measurement of the heavy elements.

Approximately 1 g of the starting toner or post-water-wash toner is introduced into a specialized aluminum compaction ring with a diameter of 10 mm and is smoothed over, and, using a “BRE-32” tablet compression molder (Maekawa Testing Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.), a pellet is produced by molding to a thickness of approximately 2 mm by compression for 60 seconds at 20 MPa, and this pellet is used as the measurement sample.

The measurement is performed using the conditions indicated above and the elements are identified based on the positions of the resulting x-ray peaks; their concentrations are calculated from the count rate (unit: cps), which is the number of x-ray photons per unit time.

To quantitate, for example, the amount of silicon in the toner, for example, 0.5 mass parts of silica (SiO₂) fine powder is added to 100 mass parts of the toner particle and thorough mixing is performed using a coffee mill. 2.0 mass parts and 5.0 mass parts of the silica fine powder are each likewise mixed with the toner particle, and these are used as samples for calibration curve construction.

For each of these samples, a pellet of the sample for calibration curve construction is fabricated proceeding as above using the tablet compression molder, and the count rate (unit: cps) is measured for the Si-Kα radiation observed at a diffraction angle (2θ)=109.08° using PET for the analyzer crystal. In this case, the acceleration voltage and current value for the x-ray generator are, respectively, 24 kV and 100 mA. A calibration curve in the form of a linear function is obtained by placing the obtained x-ray count rate on the vertical axis and the amount of SiO₂ addition to each calibration curve sample on the horizontal axis.

The toner to be analyzed is then made into a pellet proceeding as above using the tablet compression molder and is subjected to measurement of its Si-Kα radiation count rate. The content of the organosilicon polymer in the toner is determined from the aforementioned calibration curve. The ratio of the amount of the element in the post-water-wash toner to the amount of the element in the starting toner calculated by this method is determined and is used as the fixing ratio (%).

Measurement of Weight-Average Particle Diameter of Toner Particle

A precision particle size distribution measurement instrument operating on the pore electrical resistance method (product name: Coulter Counter Multisizer 3) and the accompanying dedicated software (product name: Beckman Coulter Multisizer 3 Version 3.51, from Beckman Coulter, Inc.) are used. 100 μm is used for the aperture diameter; the measurements are carried out in 25,000 channels for the number of effective measurement channels; and analysis of the measurement data and calculations are carried out. The aqueous electrolyte solution used for the measurements is prepared by dissolving special-grade sodium chloride in deionized water to provide a concentration of approximately 1 mass % and, for example, ISOTON II (product name) from Beckman Coulter, Inc. can be used. Prior to measurement and analysis, setting of the aforementioned dedicated software is carried as follows.

In the “modify the standard operating method (SOM)” screen in the dedicated software, the total count number in the control mode is set to 50,000 particles; the number of measurements is set to 1 time; and the Kd value is set to the value obtained using (standard particle 10.0 μm, Beckman Coulter, Inc.). The threshold value and noise level are automatically set by pressing the threshold value/noise level measurement button. In addition, the current is set to 1600 μA; the gain is set to 2; the electrolyte solution is set to ISOTON II (product name); and a check is entered for the post-measurement aperture tube flush.

In the “setting conversion from pulses to particle diameter” screen of the dedicated software, the bin interval is set to logarithmic particle diameter; the particle diameter bin is set to 256 particle diameter bins; and the particle diameter range is set to from 2 μm to 60 μm.

The specific measurement procedure is as follows.

(1) Approximately 200 mL of the above-described aqueous electrolyte solution is introduced into a 250-mL roundbottom glass beaker intended for use with the Multisizer 3 and this is placed in the sample stand and counterclockwise stirring with the stirrer rod is carried out at 24 rotations per second. Contamination and air bubbles within the aperture tube are preliminarily removed by the “aperture tube flush” function of the dedicated software.

(2) Approximately 30 mL of the above-described aqueous electrolyte solution is introduced into a 100-mL flatbottom glass beaker. To this is added approximately 0.3 mL of a dilution prepared by the three-fold (mass) dilution with deionized water of Contaminon N (product name) (a 10 mass % aqueous solution of a neutral detergent for cleaning precision measurement instrumentation, from Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.).

(3) Approximately 2 mL of Contaminon N (product name) and a prescribed amount of deionized water are added to the water tank of an ultrasound disperser having an electrical output of 120 W and equipped with two oscillators (oscillation frequency=50 kHz) disposed such that the phases are displaced by 180° (product name: Ultrasonic Dispersion System Tetora 150, Nikkaki Bios Co., Ltd.).

(4) The beaker described in (2) is set into the beaker holder opening on the ultrasound disperser and the ultrasound disperser is started. The vertical position of the beaker is adjusted in such a manner that the resonance condition of the surface of the aqueous electrolyte solution within the beaker is at a maximum.

(5) While the aqueous electrolyte solution within the beaker set up according to (4) is being irradiated with ultrasound, approximately 10 mg of the toner (particle) is added to the aqueous electrolyte solution in small aliquots and dispersion is carried out. The ultrasound dispersion treatment is continued for an additional 60 seconds. The water temperature in the water tank is controlled as appropriate during ultrasound dispersion to be from 10° C. to 40° C.

(6) Using a pipette, the dispersed toner (particle)-containing aqueous electrolyte solution prepared in (5) is dripped into the roundbottom beaker set in the sample stand as described in (1) with adjustment to provide a measurement concentration of approximately 5%. Measurement is then performed until the number of measured particles reaches 50,000.

(7) The measurement data is analyzed by the dedicated software provided with the instrument and the weight-average particle diameter (D4) is calculated. When set to graph/volume % with the dedicated software, the “average diameter” on the analysis/volumetric statistical value (arithmetic average) screen is the weight-average particle diameter (D4). The weight-average particle diameter is also referred to simply as the average particle diameter in the following.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is specifically described below using examples, but the present invention is not limited to or by these examples. Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the “parts” used for the materials in the examples and comparative examples is on a mass basis in all instances.

Toner 1 Production Example

This example uses a cyan toner as a typical color toner and a black toner as examples.

Black Toner Production Example

Aqueous Medium 1 Preparation Step

15.9 parts of sodium phosphate (decahydrate, RASA Industries, Ltd.) was introduced into 650.0 parts of deionized water in a reactor fitted with a stirrer, thermometer, and reflux condenser, and this was held for 1.0 hour at 65° C. while purging with nitrogen.

An aqueous calcium chloride solution of 10.4 parts of calcium chloride (dihydrate) dissolved in 10.0 parts of deionized water was introduced all at once while stirring at 15,000 rpm using a T. K. Homomixer (Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.) to prepare an aqueous medium containing a dispersion stabilizer. 10 mass % hydrochloric acid was introduced into the aqueous medium to adjust the pH to 5.0, thus yielding aqueous medium 1.

Step of Preparing Polymerizable Monomer Composition

Styrene: 45 parts

Carbon black: 7.5 parts

(NIPex 35, Orion Engineered Carbons LLC)

These materials were introduced into an attritor (Mitsui Miike Chemical Engineering Machinery Co., Ltd.) and dispersion was carried out for 5.0 hours at 220 rpm using zirconia particles with a diameter of 1.7 mm to prepare a pigment dispersion. The following materials were added to this pigment dispersion.

Styrene: 35 parts

n-Butyl acrylate: 20.0 parts

Crosslinker (divinylbenzene): 0.3 parts

Saturated polyester resin: 5.0 parts (polycondensate of propylene oxide-modified bisphenol A (2 mol adduct) and terephthalic acid (10:12 molar ratio), glass transition temperature Tg=68° C., weight-average molecular weight Mw=10,000, molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn=5.12)

Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point: 78° C.): 7.0 parts

This was held at 65° C. and a polymerizable monomer composition was prepared by dissolving and dispersing to uniformity at 500 rpm using a T. K. Homomixer (Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.).

Granulation Step

While holding the temperature of aqueous medium 1 at 70° C. and the rotation rate of the T. K. Homomixer at 15,000 rpm, the polymerizable monomer composition was introduced into the aqueous medium 1 and 10.0 parts of the polymerization initiator t-butyl peroxypivalate was added. Granulation was performed for 10 minutes while maintaining 15,000 rpm with the stirrer.

Polymerization and Distillation Step

After the granulation step, the stirrer was changed over to a propeller impeller and polymerization was carried out for 5.0 hours while maintaining 70° C. and stirring at 150 rpm. The temperature was then raised to 85° C. and the polymerization reaction was run for 2.0 hours while heating.

The reflux condenser on the reactor was subsequently changed over to a cooling condenser, and distillation was performed for 6 hours by heating the slurry to 100° C., thereby distilling off the unreacted polymerizable monomer and yielding a toner base particle dispersion.

Cyan Toner Production Example

Aqueous Medium 1 Preparation Step

14.0 parts of sodium phosphate (decahydrate, RASA Industries, Ltd.) was introduced into 650.0 parts of deionized water in a reactor fitted with a stirrer, thermometer, and reflux condenser, and this was held for 1.0 hour at 65° C. while purging with nitrogen.

An aqueous calcium chloride solution of 9.2 parts of calcium chloride (dihydrate) dissolved in 10.0 parts of deionized water was introduced all at once while stirring at 15,000 rpm using a T. K. Homomixer (Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.) to prepare an aqueous medium containing a dispersion stabilizer. 10 mass % hydrochloric acid was introduced into the aqueous medium to adjust the pH to 5.0, thus yielding aqueous medium 1.

Step of Preparing Polymerizable Monomer Composition

Styrene: 60.0 parts

C. I. Pigment Blue 15:3: 6.5 parts

These materials were introduced into an attritor (Mitsui Miike Chemical Engineering Machinery Co., Ltd.) and dispersion was carried out for 5.0 hours at 220 rpm using zirconia particles with a diameter of 1.7 mm to prepare a pigment dispersion. The following materials were added to this pigment dispersion.

Styrene: 20.0 parts

n-Butyl acrylate: 20.0 parts

Crosslinker (divinylbenzene): 0.3 parts

Saturated polyester resin: 5.0 parts

(polycondensate of propylene oxide-modified bisphenol A (2 mol adduct) and terephthalic acid (10:12 molar ratio), glass transition temperature Tg=68° C., weight-average molecular weight Mw=10,000, molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn=5.12)

Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point: 78° C.): 7.0 parts

This was held at 65° C. and a polymerizable monomer composition was prepared by dissolving and dispersing to uniformity at 500 rpm using a T. K. Homomixer (Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.).

Granulation Step

While holding the temperature of aqueous medium 1 at 70° C. and the rotation rate of the T. K. Homomixer at 15,000 rpm, the polymerizable monomer composition was introduced into the aqueous medium 1 and 10.0 parts of the polymerization initiator t-butyl peroxypivalate was added. Granulation was performed for 10 minutes while maintaining 15,000 rpm with the stirrer.

Polymerization and Distillation Step

After the granulation step, the stirrer was changed over to a propeller impeller and polymerization was carried out for 5.0 hours while maintaining 70° C. and stirring at 150 rpm. The temperature was then raised to 85° C. and the polymerization reaction was run for 2.0 hours while heating.

The reflux condenser on the reactor was subsequently changed over to a cooling condenser, and distillation was performed for 6 hours by heating the slurry to 100° C., thereby distilling off the unreacted polymerizable monomer and yielding a cyan toner base particle dispersion.

The following steps are the same for the black toner and cyan toner.

Polymerization of Organosilicon Compound

60.0 parts of deionized water was metered into a reactor fitted with a stirrer and thermometer and the pH was adjusted to 4.0 using 10 mass % hydrochloric acid. This was heated while being stirred to bring the temperature to 40° C. 40.0 parts of the organosilicon compound methyltriethoxysilane was then added and a hydrolysis was carried out for at least 2 hours while stirring. The end point of the hydrolysis was confirmed by visual observation when oil/water separation was not occurring and one layer was present; cooling then yielded an organosilicon compound hydrolysis solution.

After the obtained toner base particle dispersion (cyan or black) had been cooled to 55° C., 25.0 parts of the organosilicon compound hydrolysis solution was added and polymerization of the organosilicon compound was initiated. Holding in this condition was carried out for 15 minutes, followed by adjustment of the pH to 5.5 using a 3.0% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. Holding was carried out for 60 minutes while continuing to stir at 55° C., after which the pH was adjusted to 9.5 using a 3.0% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution followed by an additional holding for 240 minutes to obtain a toner particle dispersion.

Washing and Drying Step

After the completion of the polymerization step, the toner particle dispersion was cooled; hydrochloric acid was added to the toner particle dispersion to adjust the pH to 1.5 or below; holding was carried out for 1 hour while stirring; and solid/liquid separation was subsequently performed on a pressure filter to obtain a toner cake. This was reslurried with deionized water to provide another dispersion, followed by solid/liquid separation on the aforementioned filter to obtain a toner cake.

The resulting toner cake was dried over 72 hours in a thermostatted chamber at 40° C. and classification was then carried out to obtain a toner particle 1 (cyan toner particle and black toner particle). The conditions for the production of toner particle 1 are given in Table 1.

TABLE 1
Toner	Type of	Amount of		Condensation	Condensation
particle	organosilicon	addition	Holding	reaction 1	reaction 2	Temperature
No.	compound	(parts)	time h	pH	Time h	pH	Time h	° C.	Remarks
1	Methyltriethoxysilane	10	0.25	5.5	1.0	9.5	4.0	55
2	Methyltriethoxysilane	12	0.25	5.5	1.0	9.5	4.0	55
3	Methyltriethoxysilane	16	0.25	5.5	1.0	9.5	4.0	55
4	Methyltriethoxysilane	10	0.25	7.0	1.5	9.5	3.5	55
5	Methyltriethoxysilane	12	0.25	7.0	1.5	9.5	3.5	55
6	Methyltriethoxysilane	16	0.25	7.0	1.5	9.5	3.5	55
7	Methyltriethoxysilane	12	0.25	7.0	3.5	9.5	1.5	55
8	Methyltriethoxysilane	16	0.25	4.0	1.0	9.5	3.5	55
9	Methyltriethoxysilane	16	0.25	4.0	2.0	9.5	3.0	55
10	Methyltrimethoxysilane	10	0.50	5.5	1.0	9.5	4.0	55
11	Methyltriethoxysilane/	9.5/0.5	0.50	5.5	1.0	9.5	4.0	55
	Tetraethoxysilane
12	Methyltriethoxysilane/	9.0/1.0	0.50	5.5	1.0	9.5	4.0	55
	Vinyltriethoxysilane
Comparative 1	Methyltrimethoxysilane	5	1.00	9.5	5.0	—	—	70	Sol-gel silica
									was also used
									when the
									organosilicon
									compound was
									added
Comparative 2	3-(Methacryloxy)	30	5.00	9.5	10.0	—	—	70
	propyltrimethoxysilane
Comparative 3	None used		—	—	—	—	—	—	No organosilicon
									compound was
									added

In the table, the “amount of addition” is the amount of addition (parts) of the organosilicon compound in the step of polymerizing the organosilicon compound.

Toner Particles 2 to 12 Production Method

Toner particles 2 to 12 (black and cyan) were obtained proceeding as for toner particle 1, but changing to the conditions shown in Table 1.

Comparative Toner Particle 1 Production Method

Comparative toner particle 1 (black and cyan) was obtained proceeding as for toner particle 1, but changing the polymerization of the organosilicon compound as indicated in the following.

Polymerization of Organosilicon Compound

60.0 parts of deionized water was metered into a reactor fitted with a stirrer and thermometer and the pH was adjusted to 4.0 using 10 mass % hydrochloric acid. This was heated while being stirred to bring the temperature to 40° C. 40.0 parts of the organosilicon compound methyltriethoxysilane was then added and a hydrolysis was carried out for at least 2 hours while stirring. The end point of the hydrolysis was confirmed by visual observation when oil/water separation was not occurring and one layer was present; cooling then yielded an organosilicon compound hydrolysis solution.

The temperature of the resulting toner base particle dispersion was cooled to 70° C. and the pH was then adjusted to 9.5 with a 3.0% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. While continuing to stir at 70° C., 5.0 parts of a colloidal silica (Snowtex ST-ZL, solids fraction=40%) and 12.5 parts of the organosilicon compound hydrolysis solution were added and polymerization of the organosilicon compound was initiated. This was held as such for 300 minutes to obtain a toner particle dispersion.

Comparative Toner Particle 2 Production Method

Comparative toner particle 2 (black and cyan) was obtained proceeding as for toner particle 1, but changing the polymerization of the organosilicon compound as indicated in the following.

Polymerization of Organosilicon Compound

A mixed medium was prepared by the dissolution of 1.0 parts of polyvinyl alcohol in 20 parts of a mixed solvent of ethanol/water=1:1 (mass ratio), and this mixed medium was dispersed in the toner base particle dispersion. 30 parts of the silicon compound 3-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane was then dissolved and stirring was carried out for an additional 5 hours to induce swelling and incorporation within the toner particle by the 3-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane.

Then, after the temperature had been brought to 70° C., the pH was adjusted to 9.5 with a 3.0% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. A sol-gel reaction was developed at the toner particle surface by stirring at room temperature for 10 hours, thus yielding the comparative toner particle 2.

Comparative Toner Particle 3 Production Method

A comparative toner particle 3 (black and cyan) was obtained by not carrying out the organosilicon compound polymerization in the production example for toner particle 1.

Example 1

Toner particle 1 was used as such as toner 1. The weight-average particle diameter of the cyan toner was 7.0 μm, and the weight-average particle diameter of the black toner was 6.5 μm. Using the black toner process cartridge (PK) in the first station, the following durability evaluations were performed for the primary transferability, the secondary transferability, and the text quality.

The analytic results for toner 1 are given in Table 2. While the results in Table 2 are the results for the cyan toner, the black toner has the same properties.

	TABLE 2
	Results of analysis		Results of x-ray
	of the TEM image		fluorescence analysis
Toner	Toner	P(D/w)		H80		Silicon amount	fixing
No.	particle No.	number %	Σw/L	nm	R nm	mass %	ratio %
1	1	89%	0.61	75	45	3.5	99
2	2	85%	0.60	80	40	4.3	98
3	3	82%	0.64	85	45	5.3	97
4	4	79%	0.33	80	30	3.6	99
5	5	77%	0.40	85	35	4.4	98
6	6	77%	0.42	90	40	5.4	95
7	7	90%	0.30	90	25	4.4	91
8	8	95%	0.83	75	60	5.4	84
9	9	85%	0.91	70	65	5.3	94
10	10	90%	0.62	80	40	3.4	94
11	11	87%	0.45	90	40	3.5	92
12	12	95%	0.85	70	55	3.4	99
C. 1	C. 1	0%	0.75	65	60	5.3	92
C. 2	C. 2	20%	0.20	45	30	3.5	78
C. 3	C. 3	40%	0.20	75	180	4.4	68
C. 4	C. 3	0%	0.30	60	80	4.2	85
In the table, “C.” denotes “comparative”, and “R” denotes “Number-average diameter for protrusion diameter R nm”.

Durability Evaluation Method

A modified machine was used: this was an LBP7700C, a commercial laser printer from Canon, Inc., that had been modified to provide the configuration in these examples. The modification consisted of providing the developing roller with a rotation velocity of 360 mm/sec by changing the main unit of the evaluation machine and changing the software.

The toner was filled into a toner cartridge for the LBP7700C, and this toner cartridge was held for 24 hours in a normal-temperature, normal-humidity NN (25° C./50% RH) environment. After standing for 24 hours in this environment, the toner cartridge was installed in the aforementioned machine. Of the four cartridges, three were filled with 40 g of the cyan toner, and the remaining cartridge was filled with 40 g of the black toner. The position of the cartridge filled with black toner is described below.

To evaluate the transferability and decline in transferability for use in a durability test, 7,500 prints of an image with a print percentage of 5.0% were printed out in the NN environment in the crosswise direction at the center of A4 paper with a 50-mm margin on both the left and right. The evaluations were performed after the initial print and after the output of 7,500 prints.

Evaluation of Primary Transferability

The primary transferability was evaluated as follows. A black 100% solid image was output using the cartridge filled with the black toner. The power source was turned off during image formation to forcibly stop the main unit during image formation, and the untransferred toner on the photosensitive member was taped over and peeled off using a transparent polyester adhesive tape. A density difference was calculated by subtracting the density for the adhesive tape alone applied to the paper from the density for the peeled-off adhesive tape applied to the paper. Concentrations of five points were measured and the arithmetic average was calculated.

The value of this density difference was scored as follows. The density was measured using an X-Rite color reflection densitometer (X-Rite 500 Series, X-Rite, Incorporated). A score of C or better was regarded as excellent.

Evaluation Criteria

A: the density difference is less than 0.03

B: the density difference is at least 0.03, but less than 0.05

C: the density difference is at least 0.05, but less than 0.10

D: the density difference is at least 0.10

Evaluation of Secondary Transferability

The secondary transferability was evaluated as follows. Of the three cartridges filled with the cyan toner, a cartridge was used placed in the most upstream position and a cartridge was used placed one position downstream therefrom, and a 200% solid image, provided by stacking two 100% solid images, was output on High-White GF-0081 paper from Canon, Inc. At this time, the value of the positive-polarity voltage applied to the secondary transfer roller was varied in order to determine the voltage value Vst corresponding to the highest image density on the paper.

This Vst voltage was then applied to the secondary transfer roller 11 and a black 100% solid image was output on High-White GF-0081 paper from Canon, Inc. and the density on the paper was measured. An X-Rite color reflection densitometer (X-Rite 500 Series, X-Rite, Incorporated) was used for the density, and a score of C or better was regarded as excellent.

Evaluation Criteria

A: the density is at least 1.30

B: the density is at least 1.20, but less than 1.30

C: the density is at least 1.15, but less than 1.20

D: the density is less than 1.15

Evaluation of Text Quality

The Chinese character or kanji for electricity (DEN) was printed using 10.5 point MS Mincho on High-White GF-0081 paper from Canon, Inc., and this was then observed at 50× using a VHX-2000 microscope from the Keyence Corporation and the scattering and degree of character jaggedness were subjectively evaluated. A score of C or better was regarded as excellent.

Evaluation Criteria

A: level at which there is almost no scattering and jaggedness

B: level at which there is very slight scattering and very minor jaggedness

C: level for the limit of acceptability for office use

D: level of unacceptability for office use

The results of the evaluations of toner 1 are given in Table 3.

	TABLE 3
	Evaluation	Evaluation
	of primary	of secondary	Evaluation of
	transferability	transferability	text quality
						After		After		After
Example	Toner	Cyan toner	Black toner	PK		7,500		7,500		7,500
No.	No.	particle diameter	particle diameter	position	Initial	prints	Initial	prints	Initial	prints
1	1	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	First St.	A	A	B	B	B	B
2	1	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	A	A	A	A	A	A
3	2	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	A	A	A	A	A	A
4	3	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	A	A	A	A	A	A
5	4	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	A	C	A	C	A	C
6	5	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	A	B	A	B	A	B
7	6	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	A	C	A	C	A	C
8	7	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	A	C	A	C	A	C
9	8	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	A	B	A	B	A	B
10	9	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	B	B	B	B	B	B
11	10	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	A	A	A	A	A	A
12	11	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	A	A	A	A	A	A
13	12	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	B	B	B	B	B	B
C.E. 1	C. 1	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	A	D	A	D	A	D
C.E. 2	C. 2	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	D	D	D	D	A	D
C.E. 3	C. 3	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	C	D	C	D	A	D
C.E. 4	C. 4	7.0 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	C	D	C	D	A	D
C.E. 5	1	7.0 μm	7.0 μm	Fourth St.	A	A	C	C	C	C
C.E. 6	1	6.5 μm	6.5 μm	Fourth St.	C	C	C	C	A	A
In the table, “C.E.” denotes “comparative example”, “C.” denotes “comparative”, “St.” denotes “station”.

Evaluation of Toners 2 to 12 and Comparative Toners 1 to 4

Toner particles 2 to 12 and comparative toner particles 1 and 2 were used as such as toners 2 to 12 and comparative toners 1 and 2, and the evaluations were performed thereon.

In the case of comparative toners 3 and 4, comparative toners 3 and 4 were prepared by carrying out external addition on comparative toner particle 3 using the following conditions, followed by the evaluations.

Production of Comparative Toner 3

An organosilicon fine particle A was first synthesized as described in the following.

An aqueous solution was prepared by introducing 500 g of deionized water into a reactor and adding 0.2 g of a 48% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. To this aqueous solution were added 65 g of methyltrimethoxysilane and 50 g of tetraethoxysilane; a hydrolysis reaction was run for 1 hour while holding the temperature at 13° C. to 15° C.; 2.5 g of a 20% aqueous solution of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate was added; and a hydrolysis reaction was run for 3 hours at the same temperature. A transparent, silanol compound-containing reaction product was obtained in approximately 4 hours.

A condensation reaction was then run for 5 hours while holding the temperature of the obtained reaction product at 70° C., to obtain an aqueous suspension that contained fine particles of an organosilicon compound. This aqueous suspension was filtered on a membrane filter; the filtrate was forwarded to a centrifugal separator; and white fine particles were separated. The separated white fine particles were washed with water and were subjected to hot-air drying for 5 hours at 150° C. to obtain organosilicon fine particle A.

Observation of organosilicon fine particle A with a scanning electron microscope showed that this organosilicon fine particle A was a hollow hemispherical body, and calculation by image analysis of the number-average particle diameter (μm) for the long diameter and short diameter of the hemisphere gave 180 nm for the long diameter and 80 nm for the short diameter.

3.0 parts of organosilicon fine particle A was added to 100 parts of comparative toner particle 3 and mixing was carried out using a Henschel mixer at a peripheral velocity for the stirring blade of 20 m/s. Comparative toner 3 was then prepared by mixing, using a Henschel mixer at a peripheral velocity for the stirring blade of 20 m/s, 1.5 parts of a hexamethyldisilazane-treated hydrophobic silica having a number-average particle diameter of 12 nm.

Production of Comparative Toner 4

Comparative toner 4 was prepared as for the preparation of comparative toner 3, but with the following changes: the organosilicon fine particle A was changed to a hydrophobic sol-gel silica (number-average particle diameter=80 nm, Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.), and the peripheral stirring blade velocity for the Henschel mixer was changed from 20 m/s to 40 m/s.

The analytical results for each toner are given in Table 2.

Example 2

Example 1 is followed, but using the black toner process cartridge (PK) in the fourth station. The durability results for the primary transferability, secondary transferability, and text quality are given in Table 3.

The first station is the most upstream position, and the fourth station is the most downstream position.

Examples 3 to 13

Example 2 is followed, but using the toners 2 to 12 indicated in Table 3 in place of toner 1. The durability results for the primary transferability, secondary transferability, and text quality are given in Table 3.

Comparative Examples 1 to 4

Example 2 is followed, but using the comparative toners 1 to 4 indicated in Table 3 in place of toner 1. The durability results for the primary transferability, secondary transferability, and text quality are given in Table 3.

Comparative Example 5

Example 2 is followed, but using 7.0 μm for the weight-average particle diameter of the black toner. The durability results for the primary transferability, secondary transferability, and text quality are given in Table 3.

Comparative Example 6

Example 2 is followed, but using 6.5 μm for the weight-average particle diameter of the cyan toner. The durability results for the primary transferability, secondary transferability, and text quality are given in Table 3.

As shown in Table 3, the primary transferability, secondary transferability, and text quality during extended use can be brought to an excellent level in Examples 1 to 13 having the constitution described in the preceding.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-134324, filed Jul. 17, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Claims

1. An image-forming apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of process cartridges each having a toner and an image bearing member and each forming an image with a different color, and

an intermediate transfer member that, in order to carry out secondary transfer to a transfer material, transports a toner image provided by primary transfer from the image bearing member, wherein

the toner comprises a toner particle that contains a toner base particle and an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner base particle;

the organosilicon polymer has the structure given by formula (1) below;

the organosilicon polymer forms protruded portions on the surface of the toner base particle; wherein,

in a flat image provided by observing the toner cross section with a scanning transmission electron microscope stem, drawing a line along the circumference of the toner base particle surface, and converting based on this line along the circumference, and

assuming that the length of the line along the circumference for a segment where a protruded portion and the toner base particle form a continuous interface is taken as a protrusion width w, the maximum length of a protruded portion in the direction normal to the protrusion width w is taken as a protrusion diameter d, and the length, in the line segment that forms the protrusion diameter d, from the peak of a protruded portion to the line along the circumference is taken as a protrusion height h,

the numerical proportion P(d/w), in protruded portions having a protrusion height h from 40 nm to 300 nm, of protruded portions having a ratio d/w of the protrusion diameter d to the protrusion width w from 0.33 to 0.80, is at least 70 number %; and wherein

one of the plurality of process cartridges has a carbon black-containing black toner; and

the weight-average particle diameter of the black toner is smaller than the weight-average particle diameter of the toner present in the other process cartridges

R—SiO_3/2  (1)

in the formula, R represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbons or a phenyl group.

2. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

in observation of the toner cross section using a scanning transmission electron microscope stem, assuming that the width of the flat image is taken as a circumference length L and the sum of the protrusion widths w of the protruded portions having a protrusion height h from 40 nm to 300 nm of the protruded portions of the organosilicon polymer present in the flat image is taken as Ew,

Ew/L is from0.30to0.90.

3. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the fixing ratio of the organosilicon polymer on the toner is at least 80 mass %.

4. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the black toner-containing process cartridge resides in the most downstream position among the plurality of process cartridges.

5. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the difference between the weight-average particle diameter of the black toner and the weight-average particle diameter of the toner present in the other process cartridges is not greater than 1.5 μm.

6. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

H80 is at least 65 nm where, when a cumulative distribution of the protrusion height h is constructed for the protruded portions having a protrusion height h from 40 nm to 300 nm, H80 is the protrusion height corresponding to 80 number % for cumulation of the protrusion height h from the small side.

7. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

R is an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbons.

8. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of process cartridges comprise:

the process cartridge having the carbon black-containing black toner,

a process cartridge having a yellow toner,

a process cartridge having a magenta toner, and

a process cartridge having a cyan toner.